Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will not take any lectures from the Opposition about protecting workers. I am proud to have been a member of a Government that put €12 billion into the economy through the pandemic unemployment payment to ensure that people had certainty of income right through very difficult times in our economy. That ensured the economy was in good shape to deliver those commitments, protect those workers and ensure that business could take off like a rocket to employ people post the pandemic. That is what sustainable finances are.

On two occasions this morning, I have been asked to pre-empt decisions to be taken in quarter 1 of next year. I am not prepared to do that. The trajectory for sick pay is clearly set out in the legislation. It is on statute. However, section 6 of the Act gives us an opportunity to review how the economy is doing. When that is in legislation I am absolutely obliged to do that. I will work with employers. As I said in regard to lower paid workers, judge us on the evidence. Look at the minimum wage, which increased by 46%, sick pay, which we brought in, and pensions auto-enrolment. Last night, many Deputies voted against the future pension rights of workers in this economy. We are a Government that protects workers. We have shown and done that. We brought in remote working as well, which has changed the public service in terms of productivity, certainty and how it can operate. I will not take lectures from the Opposition in regard to protecting employees' rights in this economy.

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